November 1, 2012 • Estd. 1892 • Vol. 121 • No.3• Published Monthly • www.ihstattler.com • Ithaca High School, 1401 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca, NY, 14850 • FREE
Ithaca Looks Ahead to a Newly Renovated Commons PHOTO/\PROVIDED
The Ithaca Commons, located downtown, in it’s most current form on a summer day.
By REX LEI
In just a few years, the downtown Commons as we know it will cease to exist. Instead, organizations, local architects, and associates are working together to create a new destination for restaurant-goers, businesses, and tourists that will feature trees, smooth floors, a fountain, and lights surrounding the open area.
“This is an old, outdated area – it hasn’t been renovated in 40 years,” said Gary Ferguson, Executive Director of the Downtown Ithaca Alliance (DIA), a non-profit organization dedicated to the marketing, promotion, and revitalization of downtown Ithaca. DIA is working with local HOLT architects based in downtown Ithaca as well as Sasaki Associates, Inc., a company based in Boston, for the project.
“We’ve been facilitators; we put together a 10-year strategic plan and it really called for a redo of the Commons,” Ferguson said on behalf of DIA. Calls for a renovation came from various groups, including the elderly, who filed numerous lawsuits against the city after tripping and falling on the broken pavement. Yet, these are not the most serious concerns. When the Commons was built, utilities were left untouched, continued on p. 7
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November 1, 2012
Editorial:
Engage Yourself in Democracy Our democracy is slipping from between our fingers: we can see it in the media, in the billions spent to elect candidates, and in divisive Washington politics. The question isn’t if our political system is broken. The question we need to be asking ourselves – each and every one of us – is if we are willing to save it. It is vital, if we wish to move this country forward, for all of us to become more involved. We, the future laborers, teachers, and leaders, have the chance to decide what country we will inherit. The first step to a thriving and vibrant democracy clearly must be voter turnout. Addressing staggeringly low political involvement in America must be our first task in recovering our political process. With turnout in 2008 General Election standing at 57%, considerably more than one third of Americans choose not to vote. By voting and encouraging others to vote, we have the ability to affect change in this country on a scale currently inconceivable. While one might assume there is a politically active youth, polls show the opposite. Among voters aged 18-29, according to Gallup Daily Tracking Polls, only 58% of young voters will turn out at the polls November 6. Forty-two percent of America’s youth will not take the opportunity to speak their minds on the most important issues facing them today. Whether it be on health care, the deficit, or crippling student loans, millions of American youth are remaining passive and unengaged in their political process. Through the power of our votes, we will decide whether money will rule politics when we inherit this country. Through the power of volunteering for candidates who share our values, we will determine what battles America fights throughout the world. Through staying informed, we have the ability to decide what country we will inherit. We may not think about it, but one day this nation will be ours. It is our duty to ensure the nation we get is the one we want. Regardless of your age, take a minute to read about all of the candidates. Stay active, informed, and let your voice be heard. Even if you can’t vote, help decide this election by volunteering your time. The Tattler is the student-run Fulfill your duty to yourself, and to your newspaper of Ithaca High School. The Tattler was founded in 1892, country. Research. Vote. Volunteer. and is published monthly.
Correction: In the October issue article “New Athletics Chair- Danielle LaRoche,” LaRoche was incorrectly described as “taking charge of [..] the Physical Education department.” In fact, LaRoche does not oversee that department. Rhonda Bullard, Coordinator of Health, Physical Education and Wellness for the district, is in that position.
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Novermber 1, 2012
Opinion: The Importance Of The Arts By JULIAN ENGLISH and EMILY SCARPULLA
When it comes to budget cuts, the first thing to go is always the arts. Most people do not see this as a major issue, because they do not see all the benefits of the important role the arts play in the curriculum. Myriad music programs are offered at IHS, notably the band, orchestra, and choir, which perform concerts and musicals throughout the year. Jazz Band, Madrigals, Vocal Jazz, Chamber Orchestra, and Pep Band perform outside of school and are extremely popular. Art programs are prominent as well, including fashion, ceramics, drawing and painting, sculpture, and photography. One Fine Arts credit is necessary
to graduate here at IHS, and it can be fulfilled by taking a year of any of those classes as well as with a Theatre or Technology class. Compared with the time devoted to most other subjects at the high school, that is not very much time to spend in Fine Arts. “I don’t see how the school can call the arts just an ‘enrichment’; it’s almost insulting,” says Lorraine Tino, IHS English and Drama teacher. “The arts are a natural part of human nature and they are essential. It’s a core part of who we are as people.” The arts have been a prominent part of cultures through the history of the civilization. They bring people together in a way that nothing else really does. People from all over the world can enjoy them together with very little con-
flict and, at a high school level, they add a sense of community and promote self expression. All of these things are very important for young people, helping them develop many skills that are useful in life, even if they do not continue in the arts. Funding the arts is needed far more than the SmartBoards that many teachers use as projectors or neglect in favor of their trusty blackboard; iPads are mostly just useful for playing games. Those tools are hardly comparable to the lifelong skills gained by being involved in the arts. It seems that schools all over the country need to take a better look at their education system and re-evaluate what is truly important for raising a new generation of thinkers.
Letter to the Editor: Dear Editor and Staff, I enjoyed your editorial and accompanying article regarding the new school buildings and amenities. It was interesting to see the student perspective and thoughts on spending multi-millions of dollars on these large items while books, sports uniforms, and basic needs such as working water fountains go wanting. As a parent and tax-payer it drives me crazy that taxes continue to go up, with both the federal and state governments running huge deficits, yet politicians and administrators continue to spend. The excuse that these large, expensive items were fi-
nanced through a large bond issue at historically low interest rates, so overall costs will be low, does not appear fiscally responsible. It would be similar to a family barely making their current monthly bills, choosing to buy a new car because a 1% interest rate was offered to new buyers. I travel throughout the Southern Tier of New York and noticed all the new school buildings throughout the region and my favorite new item, which is similar to your point on the need for “Two Giant Flat Screen TVs”, the electronic display boards that were bought to replace the old, manual boards. I wonder was there really a need to replace the
old ones given our dire financial situation in New York State. I wonder what they cost to purchase, install and run? I wonder when they will short circuit in our harsh winters? I wonder when someone will vandalize them and their cost to repair? And, lastly, I love that they are only in use 9 months out of the year and tell me to have a “Nice Summer” and provide me with the time and temperature three months out of the year. As you mentioned regarding the iPads, my phone can do all that and more. Keep Up the Good Work, David Patz
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Novermber 1, 2012
Nate Shinagawa: My Candidate PHOTO/\MAYA PATT
By MIKE HALL
Nate Shinagawa is in a tight race against incumbent Republican Tom Reed for New York’s 23rd Congressional District. Shinagawa is a strong, progressive democrat, who is running on a platform of change for Washington. Nate is a County Legislator and a healthcare provider, currently serving as the Director of Purchasing and Support Services for Robert Packer Hospital, a non-profit Guthrie Heathcare Center nationally recognized for providing excellent medical care at low costs. T he first time I went to volunteer for Nate, it was two months before the primary election. I phone banked for the first time in my life, and immediately fell in love with campaigning, Nate’s staff, and Nate’s message. After I had finished making my calls, I asked Nate’s then-Communications Director what Nate’s position on nuclear power was. She told me to go ask Nate, and so I did. In the middle of a busy schedule, Nate took 30 minutes to walk me through his position on energy independence and nuclear power. Then he did something I’ll never forget: he asked me what my opinion was. He took another 15 minutes to have a discussion with me about where our opinions on the topic
diverged. Nate has my support because I know he will care about all of his constituents, even those who are unable to vote. Nate’s ties and commitment to our community have won him the endorsements of unions, politicians, and non-profit organizations around the district, and around the country. The Sierra Club, the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, the UAW, and Congressman Hinchey are just a few examples of groups and people who feel Nate is what’s right for our district. Nate’s a candidate worthy of Congress. I have no doubt that he will work tirelessly for the unique needs of our community, as well as for solutions to the pressing national issues our country is faced with. Nate is a dynamic candidate with experience well beyond his years. Nate will fight for me, and I know he will fight for you, too. It’s a close race. Nate’s internals put him a mere 5 points behind Tea Party Republican Tom Reed: a slim margin. With help from students like you, Nate can win this campaign. If you’re interested in helping to elect a maverick politician to Congress (and add an impressive line to your college application), please contact Nate’s office in Ithaca at (607) 319-4371.
5 Novermber 1, 2012
Board Approves IHS Ghana Trip, The ELF Program Shares Results By ARYEH ZAX
The Ithaca City School District’s (ICSD) Board of Education (BoE) held its bimonthly discussion and voting meeting on October 9. Phoebe Patwell, team administrator for Code Red, was proud to announce that the club would be attending several events in the near future, including up to two in Rochester. In addition, Code Red has gained several new members, though it is finding that out-of-school students who want to participate are often having trouble doing so. The Fine Arts Booster Group said that teacher minigrants were available “for dance, drama, music, and visual arts support or projects”, according to their website. The deadline for applications was this past Tuesday, October 30. Lehman Alternative Community School (LACS) had its annual Fall Retreat Wednesday and Thursday, October 3 and 4. “We all go out and spend a few days getting to know nature and each other outside of the classrooms,” said Ned Lauber, an LACS student representative. Tom Reed and Nate Shinagawa, candidates for New York’s twenty-third congressional district seat (where Ithaca has recently been redistricted), came to speak at IHS on Friday, October 12, first and second period, respectively. Many students listened to them speak. The new Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) policies were emphasized at the meeting. “In every course, teachers are identifying particular skills: this is a way for them to measure how many [students] grew in those skills throughout the school year,” said Jason Trumble. “It’s called a baseline now, but we called it [a] pre-assessment in the past...it’s always good to know where students are,” added Luvelle Brown, ICSD Superintendent. Brown had a fairly short Superintendent’s Report. He thanked the BoE for their overwhelming support of cocurricular activities, and showed a brief video of parents grateful for the addition of another modified soccer team; registration was around 75 students. The BoE discussed its mission statement and vision. Its mission “is to engage, educate, and empower. [The BoE] will strive to engage all students in the importance and relevance of thinking to educate every learner to communicate, comprehend, and collaborate for understanding; and to empower all in the ICSD to achieve academic excellence.” Its vision is “[of] 6,000+ Thinkers. Thinking is foundational to the development of self … creative ideas; problem solving; scientific discoveries.” Lauren McKown, Combined teacher at IHS, will be
taking a group of six students to Ghana over this year’s spring break; the trip was proposed last April. Initially, interest came from IHS’s Invisible Children club, though the trip has split off from them. McKown has a rough itinerary, mostly based around the Akrofi Institute, which is near where the group will be staying. “[The trip will include] cultural programs, lectures, community service, as well as trips around the area to local parks, which includes part of the area that was initially part of the slave trade. Students have been working to fundraise since before last April,” said McKown. Part of the Akrofi Institute’s mission is to help educate people about Ghanaian culture, including local history and customs. “[This kind of experience] can’t be replicated in a classroom […] for people to experience that […]is really important,” said McKown. The group is being insured by Education First (EF) Tours, a trusted tours organization that the district has used in the past while on international tours. Carlan Gray, longtime IHS science teacher, used EF Tours on her trip to Costa Rica in February of 2011. The Elementary Literacy Framework (ELF) program is part of a new English Language Arts (ELA) program being implemented by ICSD. Lynn VanDeWeert, Liddy Allee, and Andrea Rennie prepared an extensive presentation for the board, including plan outlines, goals, student samples, and discussion of a booklet they printed out and distributed to the members of the Board. “I NO A LOT A BAOOt FLOwrs,” wrote one elementary schooler on her assessment; another, less successful, said only, “I WT DARRE ELK WEHFN,” - “I went to Darien Lake, we had fun.” The ELF program draws partially on the Daily 5, another program focused on generating quality reading and writing; however, significant effort was made to emphasize that ELF is not simply another program with the name taken off. “We’ve been trying to grow that practice in the district for about six or seven years…without the common understanding of those instructional components, and what they actually meant...the instruction didn’t actually match the philosophical components of [the program]. We wanted to take off any sort of name and branding and really get down to ‘What do we mean?’,” said VanDeWeert. “Research is showing that what students need is to spend a lot of time really reading a lot of text, thinking deeply about that text, having conversations, learning to pull evidence from text … and so a literacy program that is embedded in authentic literacy experiments … is aligned with the Common Core [state standards],” she later added.
6 November 1, 2012 IHS Brain Team Doubles Down The IHS Brain Team, led by IHS teacher Benjamin Kirk, competed in West and Central New York’s (WCNY) Double Down program on Thursday, October 11 in Syracuse. Double Down, a jeopardy-like trivia show, launched its eighth season on October 3. Irit Huq-Kuruvilla ’13, Dennis Jung ’13, Teddy Morris-Knower ’13, Balazs Szegletes ’13, and Aryeh Zax ’14 represented IHS on the quiz show, competing in a single-elimination bracket with 31 other teams. Teams of three students play in each game. All questions are from one of six categories: math, science, ELA/literature, global history/ geography, sports, and 2012 (current events). The first round consists of ten questions posed to individual team members; the second round contains the same categories, with questions worth more points and posed to the entire team. In addition, each team is permitted three “Double Downs;” after a correct answer, they may take another, harder question in a category of their choice for an opportunity to gain more points; however, a wrong answer means losing all points gained on the previous question. The final round is betting-style à la Final Jeopardy!. After winning convincingly in the first round against Gilbertsville-Mount Upton, IHS was knocked out by Oneida in a game that all came down to the Double Down round. Seven Students to Perform in Area All State This Month Every year, ICSD is represented by a different six-student team and one alternate for the highly prestigious NYSSMA All-State ensemble. Seven musicians in the district were notified in August that they had been accepted: Ellie Bayles ’13 on flute, Emily Long ’13 on oboe, Jay Hamilton on clarinet, Jeremy Poe ’13 on trombone, Miles Allen ’13 on the alto saxophone, Jensen Lo ’14 on cello, and Toby Elser ‘14 on violin. In order to be accepted into the ensemble, students had to perform their best at an All-State NYSSMA solo in the spring. Solos are scored on a scale from 0-100; in order to be recommended by an adjudicator for All State consideration, students must receive a score of 98 or higher. All seven students received perfect scores of 100 on their solos, and are looking forward to the festival which will take place November 29 through December 2.
Grow Your Own and Display Your Art at IHS By CONNOR COUTTS
The Fine Arts department at IHS has big plans to renovate the old Tots and Teens playground by E Hallway into both a sculpture and produce garden by the end of this year. “Our department realized this space could be used for something big,” said art teacher Jacqueline Richardson who, along with Art Department chair Carol Spence, is heading plans to create the potential garden. Although plans are still very premature, both Richardson and Spence have clear and concise reasons behind having the garden. “Growth in ideas and food are part of education and it is our job to encourage students to develop skills that our outside of a regular classroom,” said Spence. “The idea of where our food comes from is maybe not as clear to some of our students. This is an opportunity to use space in unusual ways that can expand ideas about how we live, how we present ideas about the environment and how we collaborate,” said Spence, who hopes to educate students about the importance of knowing where food comes from to build an educated and healthy learning community. However, agricultural education is not the sole purpose of the garden.“I hope having this space will enhance the school in terms of beautification,” said Richardson. “I hope students and staff will come together and start discussions about art - and this also gives students who created the art an opportunity to not only display the work that they have worked on, but also for them to leave a legacy.” Neither Spence nor Richardson believe that the garden will be a costly project. Yet should significant costs arise, they hope to not only look to grants that are available - such as IPEI’s quarterly Red and Gold Grants - but also connect with local community groups that are involved with community youth gardens, such as Ithaca’s own community gardens near the Farmer’s Market. Although plans are early and still pending on administrative and custodial approval, both Spence and Richardson hope to create a unique educational experience through the art garden by the end of this year.
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7 November 1, 2012 ITHACA LOOKS FORWARD TO A NEWLY RENOVATED COMMONS continued from p. 1
and in order to save money the area was directly created on top of water, gas, and electrical lines and sewers. After many decades of use, the water lines have broken down and are in dire need of repair. Additionally, newer buildings require bigger gas lines, which the Commons doesn’t have. Fixing these problems requires digging up the Commons, which has led people to pose the question: why not renovate it? According to Ferguson, the renovations will be economically beneficial. They’ll help stimulate the downtown economy in the private investment sector for hotels, offices, conference rooms, and more. In times of fiscal austerity, or spending cuts, taxes can be raised by only so much. “If you want to continue to provide services to the community, you need tax revenue,” he said. “One of the ways you can get it is by growing. And one of the ways we can grow is we can grow downtown. But, to do that, we need to invest in infrastructure so that people can grow with you.” Ferguson believes that the changes will lead to $100 million in private growth. Yet, the costs for the renovations
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amount to around $9 million, of which $3.5 million comes directly from Ithaca’s city capital fund. The project has also received a grant from the government’s Department of Transportation, and money has been sent from the Downtown Organization and New York State. Although the costs are high, Ferguson was quick to point out that, as noted before, the renovations will generate more money than they require. After the renovation, the Commons will have an entirely new look. Instead of the current two lanes, there will be one central lane with various amenities on the sides. This way, businesses can flow out onto the sidewalk with displays; right now, they are emergency vehicle lanes. The floors will be smooth and flat, without any shifting, and according to generated images produced by Sasaki Associates, six small trees will outline a small fountain which will replace the current Bernie Milton Pavilion. Other additions include lighting along the length of the Commons and more seating. The plan is also to maintain the Commons regularly. In many cases in the past, big projects didn’t set aside money for upkeep, and as a result, the current Commons has no maintenance plan
and has worn down. “I hope what does happen is that we maintain it on a regular basis,” Ferguson said. When the renovations will occur is still uncertain. DIA would like the renovations to take 12 months, but they could take anywhere from around nine to 18 months or even longer. The start date of the construction is still in question, but it will most likely be in the first few months of 2013. As of now, there are still small details to work out before the construction can begin. During this period of construction, building will be phased so that access to the shops will be maintained. “I want to make it very clear to the community that when this work happens our intent is that all businesses will be accessible,” Ferguson said. “The public will be able to still get into and use all of these businesses.” Although the project is still newly underway, the renovations are anxiously being anticipated. “I think everybody is nervous,” said Ferguson. “Nobody knows quite what to expect. “I’m looking forward to the end of it, the other side,” he added. “I’m looking forward to what happens next.”
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8 November 1, 2012
New Faces Pop Up As Department Heads By MANSI VOHRA
PHOTO/MANSI VOHRA
In September, more than half of IHS’s nine departments saw a shift in leadership. Six educators rose up in the ranks as core academic department leaders: Jean Amodeo in English; Helen Perl in Math; Keith Thompson in Social Studies; Jim Slattery in Science; Armin Heurich in the Library; and Lana Craig in World Languages, who returns as the sole department head. In English, Jean Amodeo, who has served in the department for 11 years, said that all IHS teachers are in the process of writing their Student Learning Objectives (SLOs) - academic goals for students that have to align with state common core, district, and national standards. “Teachers have been teaching to those standards for years, they just haven’t been named common core standards,” Amodeo explained. Additionally, this year English has incorporated new academic intervention services as well as three brand-new senior electives, which include War and Literature, Reader’s Workshop, and Grammar Usage and Style. Instead of students taking one full English course for each grade, students can now choose two semester-long electives - one reading-intensive and one writing-intensive - to achieve a full year of English credit. “We made the decision to go to an electives year last fall, but this is the first year we’re dealing with what it looks like and what it means for students,” she said. A big challenge that the department has and will continue to face is the increasingly large number of class sizes over the years. “[Large class sizes] are extremely challenging for teachers, additionally with the introduction of the new electives,” said Amodeo. “Many teachers have ended up with three preps teaching multiple core courses, multiple levels, and then electives on top of those.” Last year, Regents English classes were being capped at 20 to 25 students, and Honors, from 25 to 30. This year, both
Regents and Honors electives have increased to a maximum of 28 students. Even so, Amodeo will continue to promote the goals of the department: a larger focus on informational reading rather than literary, an increase in the lexile of the text assigned in classrooms, and specific work with technology for students. “We’re all in the same boat, and everyone’s very patient with me and supportive, so that’s been great so far,” Amodeo said. In the Math department, Helen Perl, who has taught Pre-Calculus, Consumer Math and everything in between for the
Helen Perl, current Math dept. head and Precalculus teacher, gets ready for the day in her office.
past 20 years, was proud to announce that the department has welcomed three new teachers as well as made two new course changes. The first change made is that the Regents Algebra II course is now called Advanced Algebra. “A lot of people think that means that it’s easy,” Perl said. “It’s not.” This means that students entering Algebra II can take one of three levels: Advanced Algebra, Honors Algebra II, and Advanced Honors Algebra II. The other change is the new model being used for the Algebra I course, where Regents and Honors students are sitting in the same class for the same Honors credit. The students do supplemental assignments to get Honors credit, and they take different tests.
“So far, we think it’s been a pretty successful program,” said Perl. Next year, however, Perl anticipates big changes for the department. “We’re going to be dealing with the common core standards and exams are changing starting next year for Algebra so we’re gearing up for that.” The Social Studies department has a new surprise as well. Longtime teacher of the infamous AP US History class, Keith Thompson, who’s been an educator at IHS for 12 years, has taken on the position as head of his department for the first time this year. “There are a lot of things we are required to do this year that we simply weren’t before,” Thompson said, in addressing the challenges his department will face. Like the English department, Social Studies teachers are having to deal with the new changes coming down from the state, such as the SLO and Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) process. Teachers have to conduct baseline assessments that, in turn, will form the basis of their own evaluations. “The new teacher evaluation system is not necessarily a bad thing, but the way that it’s been implemented, it’s almost as if we’re trying to build a plane while we’re flying it,” he said. Changes to the department include five new teachers, who make up about a third of the department, as well as a new elective called Multi-Cultural Studies Through Film. Thompson’s main goal as leader will be to create as many opportunities for students as possible. He mentioned that seniors in Government have already had the opportunity to go downtown and meet with Common Council members for a firsthand look at how local government is run. Additionally, politicians running for New York’s 23rd Congressional district, Nate Shinagawa and Tom Reed, came to speak at IHS last month. “We have a very positive, collaborative culture and very skilled educators, that we’re just trying to get to work together in order to create more opportunities,” continued on p. 9
9 November 1, 2012 NEW FACES POP UP AS DEPARTMENT HEADS continued from p. 8
obstacle in getting teachers’ work done. Craig hopes that as a leader, she will make more time for teachers to examine students’ data after exams are given something that didn’t occur as much last year. Additionally she will ensure that a smoother transition is provided for students entering both Regents Spanish 2 and 3. As far as changes go, a new French textbook has been introduced, as well as a new Latin series. Craig also pointed out that there is a new language lab. “I love it,” she said. “The only thing that’s hard is the learning curve, because there’s a lot to remember, and a lot to do PHOTO/MANSI VOHRA
Thompson said. Before he left ten years ago, Jim Slattery had held a solid 18-year reign as an IHS Science teacher. He had started his own AP Chemistry program in addition to teaching both AP Biology and Honors Chemistry over the course of the years. Now, back for his first year since 200203, Slattery is working with teachers as the new Science department head. “I think the biggest challenge this year for me is getting to know how the departments have evolved over the years since I’ve been away for so long,” he said. Slattery mentioned that he, too, is helping teachers get ready to submit their SLOs and replenish and build up their supply list for classrooms. “You have to shift gears a bit to be the department leader, because that’s a more supportive role for the rest of the teachers in the department,” he said. “You have to be the liaison between the administrative goals and teachers in the department and finding time to do that is tough.” Slattery, however, excitedly mentioned that the department has gained two new teachers, new physics textbooks, as well as a brand new AP Biology course that was instituted by the CollegeBoard, which Cassandra Petrillose, both AP and Honors Biology teacher, is currently teaching. “I really just think that this a wonderful school,” Slattery said. “And I think what makes it a wonderful school is not the building we have, the computers we have; it’s the students that we have. I really believe that.” Although classroom size and the implementation of the common core are big challenges facing other departments, those are simply not as big of a concern for World Languages. Lana Craig, who currently teaches all the Spanish classes year 3 and up, including AP, said the department has a functional PLC group, only one new member, and not a lot of retirees. As Craig puts it, “[The department] seems to run more like a machine than a broken down old chair.” Even so, Craig noted that aligning with the state’s SLO and APPR process wasn’t a piece of cake, but more of an
Lana Craig, current World Languages dept. head and Spanish teacher, comfortably stands in her classroom after school.
to learn how to implement that.” Craig referred to the fact that students now do their recordings through GarageBand in the lab on the computer, while previously they just used a magnetic recorder. “So it’s not you go in and speak and there it is, you have to adjust all this stuff, so it’s a learning curve for even the students,” she said. The library isn’t like all of the other academic departments at IHS; it consists only of two teacher librarians and two library clerks. As a result, Armin Heurich, current department head and teacher librarian, noted that being formally designated with that title is a relatively new thing for the department. “And I think a very positive thing,” he added. “Because we get the voice at
the table, we can get a better understanding of what’s going on school wide, and we can express our concerns.” Heurich mentioned that changes include a brand new Macbook lab of around 30 laptops in F-16, a new section of the library called “Graphica” which houses graphic novel and non-fiction collections, students being able to utilize their electronic devices within the vicinity, and completely wireless access. “So for example if you go into lab one, half of the machines are connected wirelessly rather than wired and there’s no difference in terms of speed,” he said. In terms of financial issues, the library is seeking efficient ways to get the biggest bang for their buck. Addressing the book budget and maintaining afterschool hours has always been a problem in the past. However, the department plans to single out and replace only those books that are extremely old and outdated, as well as keep the facility open for students until 4:30 PM Monday through Thursday, with the help of teacher librarian and former department head Nan Bell. “I just have to tell you that Nan Bell has done a fantastic job in expressing the needs and concerns of students and staff alike here for all these years,” he said. Heurich also mentioned how in order to be a twenty-first century school, the library has increased the number of online databases, audiobooks, and EReaders that are available to students. Additionally, heavily-used technologies, such as the projectors in both of the library’s instructional spaces, may be replaced. “Projectors are dim, they’re sitting on top of books; it’s not right,” Heurich said. “And so I want to get these instructional spaces shipshape and ready to go.” Ceiling-mounted projectors for the library as well as iPads for student use are frequently discussed topics both in the department and the school. “Even though these [technologies] add levels of complication, this is what contemporary school libraries have to do to; they have to be able to roll with the times, and look at what’s coming down the way,” Heurich said.
A Blast from the Past: Looking back on the election of 2008 Four years ago, when the following article on the 2008 election was published, the economy was in total collapse and it seemed like the reign of America as the dominant superpower was coming to an end. Then out of the blue came Senator Barack Obama, a Democratic Messiah who promised to rejuvenate the economy and solve the problems of the Middle East, all in one fell swoop. Now, in the year 2012, the economy is barely crawling along and it still seems like America is on its last legs; it’s fair to say that enthusiasm for the President is not nearly as high as when he was first running for office. Read some excerpts of Iain CarMichael’s article and experience nostalgia from Obama’s early days in this blast from the past.
Debate Number Two (November 2008) BY IAIN CARMICHAEL
On Tuesday, October 7, more than 66 million people turned their televisions to the second Presidential debate, held at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, and moderated by Tom Brokaw. Presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama debated in a “Town Hall” style meaning that each candidate took questions from the audience, and from people asking questions over the Internet. The first part of the debate focused on the economy. Both candidates agreed that the United States is now in its worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. Senator Obama said that the financial crisis was caused by Bush’s economic policies, which Senator McCain supported. Obama then said that the key to solving this crisis would be increased government regulation and increased oversight on the economic problems of the middle class. McCain said
that the key is to not raise anyone’s taxes. He put forth a new proposal which stated that the government buy bad mortgages and renegotiate them at a lower price. Both candidates mentioned Warren Buffett as a potential Secretary of Treasury. On the topic of spending as President, senators McCain and Obama differed in opinion. Obama said that he would go through the federal budget and cut unnecessary and unproductive programs. McCain said that he would consider an across-the-board spending freeze, leaving only a few vital programs, such as veteran’s affairs, untouched. When asked to prioritize, Obama said that he would make energy his number one priority, followed by healthcare and education as numbers two and three, respectively. McCain said that he would work on all three at once, claiming that there is no need to prioritize. On the topic of healthcare reform, Obama promised to provide government-fund-
ed health care insurance to everyone currently without it, and to make it cheaper for those who already have it. He criticized McCain for backing the deregulation of the insurance industry. McCain promised everyone a $5,000 tax credit for health insurance. One question, asked by a person online, was whether each candidate thought that health care was a right, a responsibility, or a privilege. McCain answered that it was a responsibility, saying, “We should have available and affordable health care to every American citizen, to every family member.” Obama answered that it was a right, adding, “I think it should be a right for every American. In a country as wealthy as ours, for us to have people who are going bankrupt because they can’t pay their medical bills...there’s something fundamentally wrong with that.” When discussing energy, McCain talked about his record. He said that he strongly disagreed with the
Bush administration about climate change and alternative energy. His proposal to fix our current energy situation would involve building new nuclear reactors and increasing offshore oil drilling. Obama said that he would use a combination of solar, wind, geothermal, and nuclear power to fight rising energy costs. Obama rebutted McCain’s plan by stating that the United States has 3% of the world’s oil reserves, but uses 25% of world’s oil; therefore offshore drilling would do little to solve the energy crisis. McCain and Obama had similar positions on using military force for humanitarian reasons. Both stated that it is our moral responsibility to stop genocides such as the Holocaust or that of Rwanda. McCain said that this country should only use the military when it can “beneficially affect the outcome of a crisis.” He went on to say that America needs a candidate who has experience with such situations...
11 November 1, 2012
Teacher Feature: Mr. Hind By MEDEEA POPESCU
John Hind came to IHS last year from South Carolina, and currently teaches the Global portion of the Combined class, Global 2 Honors, and Honors Economics. He agreed to answer a few questions about himself and teaching at IHS.
MP: Where did you go to college? What were some of your favorite classes? JH: I earned both a B.A. in His-
the idea of going into teaching after being inspired by an English teacher my freshman year of high school. I became more set in this career path after my town’s mill closed and I had the opportunity to see first-hand how it affected many of my friends’ parents and grandparents who were in their 40s or 50s and had never known anything else in their adult lives. They had little formal education beyond some high school, which left them particularly vulnerable when their entire livelihood was snatched away from them with the mill’s closing. PHOTO/\MAYA PATT
Medeea Popescu: Where did you grow up? What was your high school like? John Hind: I grew up in Honea Path, South Carolina, a small mill town (or used to be, anyway) in the northwestern corner of the state about an hour south of Greenville. Belton-Honea Path High School had around 1050 students when I went there, and I think it’s still around the same size today. Because the towns of Belton and Honea Path were both small and rather closeknit communities, the high school had a pretty familial atmosphere. There’s an old adage that it takes a village to raise a child, and at my high school that was very much the case. I said the community was very close-knit, and the teachers were an integral part of that. Most were from the area and were active in church and community groups, which meant they were very visible outside the school. If something happened at school, you better believe that mom and dad would find out about it one way or another. At the time I found it suffocating, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve really grown to realize that the level of school-community involvement and interaction was really exceptional.
tory (Music minor), and a M.T. [Masters in Teaching] in Secondary Social Studies from the University of South Carolina. As a history major, I think it goes without saying that I enjoyed my history courses. My favorite courses generally dealt with late medieval and early modern European social and religious history. In that vein, my se-
MP: Why did you decide to come to Ithaca? JH: My wife is a plant biologist and accepted a postdoctoral research position at the Boyce Thompson Institute.
Mr. Hind – ready to go.
nior thesis dealt with protestant religious leaders’ response to the London Plague of 1665. Fun stuff. MP: So why did you decide to start teaching? JH: In ninth grade, I realized my aversion to needles and blood would prove a liability in my quest to become a trauma surgeon :) In all seriousness, nothing is more empowering than a solid and wellrounded education. I always liked school, especially the arts and humanities, and started kicking around
MP: How does IHS compare with previous schools you’ve taught at? How different is it? JH: My previous school was similar in size to IHS but had a very different climate. My old school strictly enforced a dress code that required shirts to be tucked in at all times, and forbade “unnatural” hair colors, “frayed” clothing, and sleeveless/strapless shirts among other things. At my previous school we also didn’t allow cell phones on campus during the school day. If a student was seen with a phone during the school day it was confiscated and could be picked up by a parent in the office before or after school. Multiple cell phone violations would result in its being held for the quarter, semester, or even an entire school year! Another tremendous difference I’ve seen here has to do with the continued on p. 12
12 Novermber 1, 2012 TEACHER FEATURE continued from p. 11
quantity and types of services offered. My old school offered only 7 AP courses, had only 4 guidance counselors, one psychologist, and one part-time social worker. Compare that to IHS, where we offer far more AP courses, have more guidance counselors, two psychologists, and several full-time social workers, and you start to get a more clear picture of a school (and a community) that provides significantly more options for students who want to explore higher-level coursework, while creating a much better safety net to help keep students from slipping through the proverbial cracks. MP: What’s your favorite class to teach here? JH: I’ve always adored Western Civ and taught AP European History the last three years I was in South Carolina, so I’ve really enjoyed having the opportunity to take on the Combined course this year. MP: What do you like the best/worst about Ithaca? JH: I love the summer here. Having spent my whole life in South Carolina with its 100+ degree heat, the 80-something days here have been an EXTREMELY welcome change. As for what I don’t like, it’s tough to quantify, but people down south have a certain “warmth” that’s lacking up here. I’ve grown accustomed to it over time, but having come from a place where cashiers and restaurant servers called you “sugar” or “hun,” there was definitely an adjustment period. Also, I have to pay an extra subscription fee to get Braves games on TV. Boo. MP: Where do you see yourself in 10 years? JH: As a 9th-generation South Carolinian, I feel like having a strong sense of place is very important, so I’d definitely like to be able to put down roots. Hopefully we’ll still be in Ithaca in ten years, but at the end of the day my path will largely be dictated by where my wife can find a faculty position once she finishes her post-doctoral work at BTI.
A Twenty-First Century School By REX LEI
It is not hard to notice all the new equipment, devices, and remodeling throughout the school. Laptops, iPads, workout machines, Smartboards, headsets, etc. A new H-Courtyard, language lab, gym facility, music building, and front entrance. These changes have been a part of a movement to become a twenty-first century school. What is a twenty-first century school? IHS principal Jarett Powers says, “A twenty-first century school is a school in which all students have the ability to access rigorous academic coursework, have the resources to achieve success in the those courses, and develop the skills and competencies necessary for advanced academic pursuits and the workforce of tomorrow.” Today’s schools must provide education for workers of tomorrow, ensuring that these workers understand the importance of critical thinking, globalization, and technology. As a result, IHS is emphasizing world languages, technology, and the understanding of other cultures. The new equipment is here to ensure proficiency in the use of technology for the future. This year, we have a brand-new language lab with computers, headsets, and comfortable chairs. The library collections have been updated, and an increased focus is
being placed on graduation rates. Some may think that the money recently spent was wasted and should have been spent somewhere else. But, according to Mr. Powers, “[M]oney for new construction like the Health and Wellness Center or the Music Building comes from a bond project that the community voted on a few years back.” Voters approved these expenditures, and as a result, the money may only be used on these buildings. What about the other equipment? Much of the funding comes from a budget that Mr. Powers controls. He, along with the district, can decide how to prioritize the spending to achieve certain goals. In addition, some funding for the purchases of technology is provided by the district. As for the iPads, Mr. Powers stands by the decisions. “Having iPads in the hands of students actually will – over time – save money on textbook expenditures, printing expenses, and increase student achievement for those students who do not have access to technology at home,” he claims. Although we are not the first to shift towards a twenty-first century school, “[W]e are getting better every day, thinking about how we try to balance our needs with the resources of our community, and provide a world class education with attention to the fiscal needs and concerns of our community and school district.”
13 Novermber 1, 2012
New IHS Teacher Assessments By ARYEH ZAX
Teacher assessments at IHS have been revamped for this year due to new state mandates. Known as the Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR), most IHS students have already come into contact with part of the new system, as it requires that baseline tests be administered at the beginning of the school year in most classes. Evaluating teacher performance is tricky and controversial, but it is a crucial part of an educational enterprise. Turning qualitative ideas about teacher performance - effectiveness, assigned workload, teaching style, and so on - into quantitative ones is far from easy. However, in order to select the best educators for their students, districts need to know if teachers are effective. “Monitoring and evaluating teachers for what they really do - I think that that’s really important,” said Gwen Freeman, English teacher at IHS. “On the state and federal level, they are looking at teachers and saying, ‘So, how many kids passed their courses? And how many of them got this level grade or higher?’ … the problem being, students aren’t widgets, they aren’t manufactured, and there are huge elements that affect how a student learns. Home life, nutrition, parent[s] … and then you say, ‘Student A, or class A, here is a test of sorts … wow, you didn’t do very well
on that, so it must be … that teachers aren’t doing their job.’” But the reality, as she points out, may not be so simple. Teachers are obligated to give baseline assessments in the courses that include the majority of their students in order to ensure that there is a representative sample of the students they teach. Another test is then given at the end of the year to measure how students progressed. Teachers also have to release Student Learning Objectives (SLOs), detailing “what our population is, what we expect the students to learn, over what period of time, and how much,” as Freeman put it. Composed of educators from each subject are, the Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) individually decided on what pre-assessments to give. Many of the core classes have ready-made assessments in state-mandated final exams; Freeman, for example, gave her eleventh grade classes an old English Regents exam, and many other PLCs have followed suit. However, this is not always possible; gym classes, for example, have no state tests to use. “When you are all being judged - or we are all being judged - on how well you do in January on the English Regents... we need to compare apples and apples,” said Freeman. Ultimately, the specific process will have to be approved by the state. State and local governments are
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rightly concerned with teacher performance, so effort must be made to communicate with them, compressing information so that decisions can be made quickly and efficiently. “I still don’t know whether [comparing pre- and post-assessment scores] really measures what you gain in a class,” she said. “Part of [teacher evaluations] … is done through observation, where someone comes in and watches me teach,” said Freeman. For tenured teachers, the observations come in the form of two visits, one with advance warning and one not. A final component of the teacher assessments involves measuring student achievement. This is slightly different form the growth measurement done with the pre and post assessments. Achievement looks at mastery of content, versus growth of knowledge or skills from a given starting point. “I think they’ve got a lot of bugs to work out...I’m not sure what the district’s requirements are going to be...I still think it’s a work in progress. It’s a bit like, as Mr. Powers has said in the past, building the airplane while you’re flying it. It’s not all set in stone yet.” Accurate teacher assessments are tough to design, and no one seems to have found a perfect one yet. However, the current form of the APPR seems a promising combination of new and old; ultimately, only time will tell how successful it is.
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Twelve Angry Men: A Background By DAVID STEIN
of a reasonable doubt prevails. Whether or not this is common is left to the audience to decide. Aside from a short prologue and epilogue, the entirety of the film takes place inside of a small room. Lumet uses the close confines of the room to his advantage by moving his characters around deftly and jacking the tension with close facial shots of the sweating jurors. Rather than being static, and despite a very simple set, the film is busy and full of action. The acting, although powerful, has qualities of melodrama that is sometimes associated with stage plays. This seems to be a consequence of a cast of mostly unknown character actors, with the exception of Fonda, whose prior experience was in stage acting. Although each member of the cast plays an important role, it is clear that Fonda and Cobb drive the action of the film. Cobb’s emotional character arc is extremely varied and is played with a depth and commitment that very few actors can obtain. Henry Fonda brings up the most thought-provoking questions of the film; he portrays his character with integrity and also forces the audience to question its preconceived notions of truth. Twelve Angry Men was nominated for numerous awards including Best Director, Best Picture, Best Writer, and countless others. Despite a slightly disappointing box office reception, Twelve Angry Men will always have a special place in film history. PHOTO/\PROVIDED
Sydney Lumet, now a highly respected director, made his first foray into film and clearly hit the ground running with his 1957 black and white hit, Twelve Angry Men. Lumet’s subtle directing style, coupled with a knockout cast of rising stars, makes this film one of the most renowned legal dramas of all time. This reassuring testament to the American jury system takes place on the hottest day of the year. Twelve average citizens gather to decide the fate of a young, underprivileged boy who is accused of murder. The audience sees none of the court proceedings and must rely solely on the jurors’ interpretations of the evidence. Each juror enters the room with his own biases, and each interprets the evidence with his own spin. Juror 1 played by Martin Balsam is a working-class assistant high school football coach whose pride at times clouds his judgment. Juror 3 (Lee J. Cobb) brings an element of tension to the proceedings with his aggressive attitude; his delicate relationship with his son makes the case an intensely personal one for him. Juror 4 (E. G. Marshall) uses logic and reason gained from his experience as a broker to justify his vote of guilty. Juror 5 (Jack Klugman) comes from a slum, like the boy on trial, and is a nurse. Juror 7 (Jack Warden) is a loud salesman who has little interest in the outcome of the case, seeming more concerned with the baseball game he has tickets to see that
night. Juror 8 (Henry Fonda) drives the action of the film; he truly cares to see justice carried out and is tormented by the idea that he may be mistaken about the guilt of the boy. Juror 9 (Joseph Sweeney) is an old man who sees the witnesses through the lens of his own wealth of experiences. Juror 10 (Ed Begley) is perhaps the most openly biased of all the jurors; his vote of guilty is born from his fear of foreigners and his own bigotry. Juror 12 (Robert Webber) is
Henry Ford leads a cast in the classic 1957 movie.
an advertising agent; he likes to make jokes but provides little input when the serious discussion begins. The theme of truth and the effects of bias on a person’s perception of the truth run throughout the film. The film is optimistic, at the very least, when it comes to whether or not the present jury system actually works. Everything is pitted against the boy, and the entire burden falls on the jury to weed out fact from fiction. In the end, we are shown a case where the idea
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15 November 1, 2012
“The Master” Review By LEO WINTERS
PHOTO/\PROVIDED
audience. First of all, just watching the two main characters is enough to make someone uncomfortable. Freddie is a ticking I was dying to see The Master from the minute I heard that time bomb who seems to be constantly on the brink of having it was in production. The film was initially rumored to be a sort a complete, animal-like breakdown (of which he has several). of biopic about the life of Church of Scientology founder L. Ron Almost the opposite of Freddie, Lancaster is on the surface a Hubbard, and although that very composed and intelcertainly sounded interestlectual person, almost the ing, I was sold simply based opposite of Freddie. But on the fact that it was being when Lancaster’s cause and written and directed by Paul its ability to bring the mind Thomas Anderson. If you’re back to its “inherent state unaware, Paul Thomas Anof perfect” is questioned, derson is the filmmaker behe becomes defensive and hind Boogie Nights, Maglashes out at the skeptics. nolia, Punch-Drunk Love, The film has a creepy, and my own personal pick minimalist, ambient score for best movie of the 2000s, from Radiohead’s Jonny There Will Be Blood. Greenwood, a lot of which The Master shares some consists of various clanking similarities with Andersounds of indecipherable son’s last film, There Will origin. This soundtrack, Be Blood. Both are period paired with the instability pieces that focus on relaand downright unlikeable tively unstable individuals traits of most of the characplayed by prolific actors. ters and some cringe-worThe films are visually simithy scenes I won’t go into lar, as Anderson uses a lot detail about, led to tense of the same cinematic techmood in the theater. At niques, such as wide-angled some of the most uncomshots and long takes. Anfortable moments of the derson himself stated that movie, lots of people in the he incorporated a lot of theater were laughing nerunused scenes from Blood vously. It seemed to me like while writing the film. a method of self-defense, as To give a brief plot overthough they didn’t know view, the film centers around how else to react to what Freddie Quell (played brilthey were seeing and had to liantly as expected by Joafill up the empty space with quin Phoenix), a soldier something. who finds himself unable So, even if The Master to assimilate to post-war wasn’t a particularly enjoyAmerican life after World able movie-going experiWar II is declared over. He ence, it was most definitely stumbles by chance upon a rewarding one. It satisfied Lancaster Dodd (Philip A new movie worth seeing. me to know that in today’s Seymour Hoffman), a self-proclaimed “writer, doctor, nucle- ocean of date movies that only serve the purpose of killing a ar physicist, theoretical philosopher, and man” who travels few hours, The Master is not handing you a plot wrapped up around with his wife (Amy Adams) preaching a philosophical nice and tidy that you can forget about as soon as the credits movement called “the Cause.” start to roll. The Master is a tough pill to swallow, with heavy It’s difficult for me to say that watching The Master was a dialogue, complex characters and ambiguous meanings. It fun experience, because it wasn’t. It seemed like every aspect will give you the sort of thrill that only high-caliber art can of the movie was trying to simultaneously test and alienate the deliver.
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Man From Nebraska Kicks Off IC Theater Season By CASHEL STEWART
Nebraska is arguably the most boring state in the country, possibly second to Delaware. However, Man From Nebraska defied all the expectations of mediocrity I had as I walked into the Clark Theater at Ithaca College (IC) on a bitter, fall, weekday night. Upon entering the doors, I was met with a chill, blue glow on the set of Tracy Letts’ story of losing faith. The seating was arranged around the entire stage, an experimental technique often used in smaller plays to let the audience in on the action. It was effective in this performance, as I was practically shoulder-to-shoulder with the actors. The set, designed by student Renny Cullen, was minimal and simple with a slate floor and hanging bookcases surrounding the room. It was a great success in a play that used various props and acting to create imaginative scenes. An exceptional performance of the character Ken Carpenter (Coleman Hemsath) led a cast of nine. One day, Carpenter wakes up sick, having lost his belief in the Christian faith. He leaves his concerned wife, Nancy Carpenter (Emily Austin), and his confused daughter, Ashley Kohl (Maggie Moe), and embarks on a seemingly pointless vacation to London, England. Distance is made between Ken and the rest of his family, including his dying mother, Cammie Carpenter (Cora Joe Anderson), and tensions rise as the Carpenter family’s normality is challenged. Thus ended the first act. The second act included the believably careless Carpenter partaking in an epic drug scene with his new psychedelic British friends, a humorous, crowd-pleasing reverend, and a reluctant though ultimately successful reunion of Ken and Nancy. It was more lively and entertaining because of the revealed humor of the reverend, Nick Carroll, and the British friends, Pat Mazzella and Jasmine Harris. I enjoyed the relief of the final scene, as well as the addition of bright stars lighting up the floor, an excellent addition done by the lighting designer, Emilio Martinez Zurita De La Garza. As always, the concession stand was loaded with goodies at intermission, with everything from scones to fancy sodas, including a very creative fish ‘n’ chips special: Swedish fish and potato chips. I wolfed down an oatmeal raisin cookie and grabbed a bottle of water before the second act. The stand was cleverly missioned to be London-themed; for example, the fish ‘n’ chips special headlined the menu. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the acting and accompanying creativity, such as the British-themed concession stand and the star-themed lighting. IC is famous for yurning out fantastic performances, and held its reputation with this piece. Man From Nebraska got this year’s theater season at IC off to a great start; expect more high quality with the remaining performances of this season, including Translations and Spring Awakening.
Fall Play: The Jury By SARAH SKROVAN
The fall drama, The Jury, is a multi-gender cast version of the classic play Twelve Angry Men. It explores murder, the one against the many, prejudice, and what justice truly is. When a boy is on trial for the murder of his father and twelve jurors are enclosed in a hot jury room to decide his fate - whether he will live or die - almost all of them believe him to be guilty without a doubt. Only Juror 8 is skeptical enough to want to pick through the case one more time. The cast includes Sarah Skrovan ’14 as the Foreman (Juror 1), Ahmed Telfair ’13 as Juror 2, Ellen Shockey ’14 as Juror 3, Olivia Salomon ’15 as Juror 4, James Slusar year as Juror 5, Gwen Ober year as Juror 6, Chris Skawski ’14 as Juror 7, Liz Rosen year as Juror 8, Rhiannon Bell ’13 as Juror 9, Caleb Harris ’13 as Juror 10, Emily Sharp-O’Connor ’14 as Juror 11, and Gordon Swain ’13 as Juror 12. Emily Scarpulla ’14 is assistant director, Naomi Powers ’14 is stage manager, and Noah BenzerShuman ’14 is assistant stage manager. The show is being directed by Lorraine Tino, IHS teacher. When asked “Why Twelve Angry Men?” Tino said, “All of the 11th grade English classes read it, and I also wanted a small cast. It is a very socially significant show, and has a lot of serious and mature themes that pertain to real life and our judicial system. I also really loved the setting, the sort of condensed feeling in the jury room—it is a good catalyst for a lot of dramatic tension, since nobody is allowed to leave. The cast is phenomenal, and everyone who tried out was incredible as well; it was very hard to make cuts, but I knew from the beginning that this show would be fantastic.” When asked about playing the most active voice of dissent, Rosen replied, “It is a powerful experience playing someone so morally strong, someone who is able to stand up against very intimidating people who are making real threats, but is still able to think clearly throughout the entire situation.” Asked the same question, Shockey - playing the juror most convinced of the boy’s guilt - said, “It is very hard and exhausting to play someone who is so unlike you morally, and it doesn’t come naturally. Juror 3 is crazy and despicable, and although it can be a lot of fun, it’s very difficult to play someone you hate.” Tino has done it again, putting together a fantastic and thought-provoking fall drama that people will be talking about for years.
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Emma Cleveland (center) with her models at A Fashion Show. PHOTO/\TENZIN DIKYIKHANGSAR
Julia John (left) with some of her models at A Fashion Show. PHOTO/\JEAN AMODEO
PHOTO/\TENZIN DIKYIKHANGSAR Jonlin Chen, Kassidy Austin, and Maya Elizabeth, models at A Fashion Show.
The Win Column By PETER FREY Staff Writer
In the past, the success of football teams has ridden on the success of their starting quarterbacks. From legends of the past like Johnny Unitas and Joe Namath to current greats like Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, teams sank or swam based on the arm under center. Now, however, it seems things have changed. Undeniable elites Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees have both failed to get their teams winning records after week 5, when earlier having even a .500 record for an elite quarterback would have been embarrassing. Green Bay Packers: Last year the Packers rode on Aaron Rodgers’ coattails to the playoffs. Sure, the steroid-soaked Clay Matthews was a solid defensive asset, but overall their defense went into the books as one of the worst in the league. Ryan Grant was the definition of average, often not good for the one yard it would take to convert. Their receiving core was decent, but glorified by Aaron Rodgers’ accuracy and route crafting under center. In the National Football Conference (NFC) North, however, having one good player complemented by an otherwise routine team is the name of the game. Aaron Rodgers is just good enough to overcome his dismal compatriots - Adrian Peterson, Calvin Johnson, and Matt Forte. This all worked out nicely during the regular season, but as soon as the Packers reached the playoffs and faced the Fearsome Foursome-esque
front line of the New York Giants they were quickly overcome. The Packers were a good team, but they were caught off guard by the Giants playing well the only time they do: when their coach is on the verge of being fired. This year their first two losses have been against the 49ers and the Seahawks, two teams with good secondaries. Pete Carroll’s outstanding coaching didn’t hurt the matchup either. Teams have learned that if they cover receivers tightly enough, Aaron “the new Brett Favre” Rodgers is nothing to worry about. New Orleans Saints: Last year the Saints had a similar issue. A great quarterback, and an otherwise lackluster team. However, with the addition of Darren “FIACRACKA” Sproles, one would expect that the Saints would be rolling in wins. What went wrong? Even their defense is flawless, with the impenetrable Darren Sharper camped out at the goal line. It seems like a recipe for success, yet as I sit here writing this the Saints are winless. Oh yeah, an absolute boatload of them got suspended for being given monetary incentives for injuring opponents. I must say, I have to blame Roger Goodell for this one. Football is a game for big kids. Players know that they risk getting hurt when they step out on the field. That’s why they’re repaid with obscene amounts of money, fame, and adoration. Paying players to get hard hits is like paying a baker to add extra frosting; they’re just going the extra mile.
New England Patriots: Ok, ok, calm down. I know what you’re thinking. Last year the Patriots were an absolute powerhouse. They went on a season-long take-no-prisoners-style rampage, leaving injuries and losses in their wake. Legend says that the Patriots biggest fan is the troll who lives under Rex Ryan’s sink and feeds on his tears. What could have gone wrong? Don’t worry. Bill Belichick is still god, Brady is still the Messiah, and the incoming rookies are as jaw-dropping as ever. Even the run game has become unstoppable. Steven “Can’t touch this” Ridley has had plentiful 100yard games, and Brandon Bolden has the makings of an all-star. Danny Woodhead is masterful when it comes to picking up long third downs. Well, I’ll tell you what went wrong: the referees. The Cardinals admittedly earned the win, but on scoring drives almost half of their yardage was from penalties. Sounds to me like a couple of the referees grew up in Phoenix. And the Ravens? According to the NFL rules, if a ball goes over the goalpost, it is a miss. Unfortunately the refs were so eager to get their embarrassment over with that they cost the Pats the win. Rest easy, now that the real refs are back Brady and company will continue on their storied trail of tears. If you’re unemployed and thinking about getting a job, I seriously recommend being drafted by Bill Belichick, since it guarantees that you’ll be a Superbowl champ within a year. And don’t worry about C.J. Spiller. The other teams in the East are as dismal as ever. Eat up, troll. Eat up.
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November 1, 2012
Sepak Takraw: The Asian Kickball By JENSEN LO
their momentum from the backflip to slam the ball into the other team’s court, while the other team also performs crazy stunts to try and block the ball in midair. With costumes, the spectacle could easily be mistaken for a martial arts movie. Currently, the teams from Thailand and Malaysia dominate the sport; after all, their countries founded the sport. But other teams are starting to become competitive as well. Korea, Japan, and even some ninja college students from the United States have sent teams that have done very well, though no official US team has ever been formed. Although the competitors of Takraw seem like flying martial arts legends, the game can be played by anyone. Even the Canadians began teaching the sport in their schools, and if the Canadians can do it, we can do it bigger. PHOTO/\PROVIDED
If you’ve ever seen a soccer player showing off their skills, you’ve probably seen them incorporate some fancy footwork and juggling. Now imagine them using those same skills to play volleyball, except without contacting the ball with their hands or arms. That’s the essence of the Southeast Asian sport of Takraw, a sport that has existed in Thailand and Malaysia for centuries, and has only just recently spread throughout Asia and the rest of the world. It’s played with a small, light, woven ball made out of rattan, a type of palm. It is contested by two teams of three. The net is roughly five feet high and looks a lot like a volleyball net. Sounds simple, right? The question remains: if we have professionals that
will basically never drop the ball and the ball needs to go over such a high net into a small court, won’t the game last forever? Well, not quite. We forgot to add one element: ninja. After the
Volleyball meets martial arts.
rattan ball is kicked up into the perfect position for a spike, the two hitters from opposing teams will generally leap into the air while performing backflips and other acrobatics. The team trying to score will try to use
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20
November 1, 2012
New Concussion Policy for New York State By ELIE KIRSHNER
This high school football season, a new state law mandating concussion protocol for all public school sports has been introduced, as the issue of concussions and long-term brain damage comes under national scrutiny. Under state law, any New York State (NYS) public school student suspected of suffering a concussion must immediately be removed from play and cannot return until he or she is symptom-free for a minimum of 24 hours. Athletes must also be evaluated and given authorization to return to activities by a doctor. The new law improves player safety and strikes down the old macho mentality of “it’s alright if I’m dizzy, I should get back in the game,” that puts young athletes’ minds at risk. Concussions are being discussed on the national level. Just six months ago, Tiaina Baul “Junior” Seau Jr., an NFL linebacker, committed suicide after an illustrious football career. He was respected for playing through injuries and although none were officially reported, it is
IHS Men’s Ice Hockey By SungHyun Won
The IHS hockey team has a lot of bumps to get past. One is that their legendary coach, Rich Armstrong, has retired from teaching and will not be returning to his coaching position, although he led the team to multiple state championships. With new coach, Psaul Zarach, the team hopes to bounce back and win a state title for the school. Although a talented group of seniors left, the team still looks very good backed up by a large senior and junior class.The team will miss Anthony Massicci ’12 and Joey Menzenski ’12, two key players from last year, but no doubt their presence be filled with the help from Luke
Mendola’13, Wilson Gearhart ’13, Michael Abdulky ’13, Ryan Emerson ’13, Carson Case ’13, Balazs Szegletes ’13, Dakota Baylor ’13, and Dylan Riker ’13. Paul Zarach focuses on hard work and effort which is just what the hockey team needs to do well. The team’s most recent state championship was in 2007, long enough ago for all members of that team to have graduated. This leaves an opportunity for Zarach to move the current team towards their ultimate goal. Although the team didn’t have a good start last year, they finished strong. There’s no doubt they can feed off of that and capitalize on their talent, moving forward at an even better pace than last season.
alleged that he suffered many concussions throughout his career. Once known for his passionate play, there has been wide speculation that Seau’s death (some test results have not been released out of respect for his family) was related to chronic traumatic encephalopathy. CTE is a degenerative brain disease caused by concussions or other head trauma that may lead to extreme depression and often psychosis. Many athletes who suffered concussions during their playing careers and later committed suicide were diagnosed with CTE after their autopsy. Now, high school football teams are dealing with concerns from parents who fear the long term health risks that can stem from playing the sport. Each week, more football players suffer highly publicized, dangerous head injuries. In a time of greater concussion research, parents watching football are becoming more aware that football along with other contact sports can be very dangerous to their children. The new law will help to provide appropriate responses to an athlete’s injuries and improve safety on the field.
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Quiz - How Should You Celebrate Your Friend’s Birthday? By TOVA WILENSKY Staff Writer
1. Your mom is picking you up at the library after an afternoon downtown with your friends. Unfortunately, she has to run some errands and can’t get there for half an hour. What book do you read while you wait? a. TTYL b. Sister of My Heart c. The Lexicon of Stupidity d. A Quarterback’s Journey e. Red Fish, Blue Fish 2. It’s a rainy Saturday afternoon. You’re alone and you have nothing to do and nowhere to go. How do you spend the day? a. Stalking people on Facebook and texting your friends b. Baking cookies! c. Break out the Barbies and Legos! d. Go jogging in the rain – you won’t sweat as much e. Alternate channel surfing and napping 3. What’s your favorite part of the birthday party? a. Talking to friends before everyone else arrives b. Giving the presents and watching the reactions c. Practical jokes to embarrass your friends – and watching their faces when they sit in their chair (everyone loves whoopee cushions!) d. Group games (you’re an
expert at Duck, Duck, Goose!) e. The piñata, because you want to eat all the candy 4. Your mom wants to enroll you in an international dance class. What do you say? a. “I’ll only take the class if my friend can do it with me.” b. “Um...maybe you could take it instead.” c. “I’d rather take ballet.” d. “Okay, it’ll help keep me fit for soccer season.” e. “No way, my video games are a lot more educational!” 5. It’s a beautiful day and you and your friend were planning on going biking. But then your friend calls - they’re sick and can’t come. What do you do outside on your own? a. Spend the day texting friends while sitting in a tree and drinking raspberry lemonade. b. Ride your bike to your friend’s house with a get-well card and a bowl of soup. c. Draw with chalk all over your driveway. d. Invite your younger neighbor to go biking with you instead – hopefully they can keep up with you! e. Bring your iPod or other handheld outside and play on it all day. 6. You finished your history exam early and you have 20 minutes before class ends. You’re not allowed to talk or
use your electronics. What do you do to pass the time? a. Pass doodles to the person next to you. b. Write a letter to your friend telling them how much you appreciate them. c. Use whatever you can find in your backpack – paper clips, erasers, etc. – to make a piece of modern art. d. Anxiously watch the clock tick and count the minutes until you can finally get out of your seat – you hate sitting still! e. Take a nap and dream about the answers you should have written on the exam … 7. Your neighbor is having a huge garage sale. Which item would you most likely buy? a. An antique typewriter b. A toy for your little brother or sister (a teddy with a missing ear, a doll without an eye, all the other things you find at a garage sale) c. A sandcastle-making bucket, shaped like the Eiffel Tower d. A skateboard with one missing wheel … you can fix it with one of your spare skateboard wheels e. A lounge chair – it only has one coffee stain on it! 8. You’re about to leave for school when you realize your outfit looks really boring. Which accessory do you add? a. Shutter shades
b. Polka-dotted suspenders c. A top hat d. Baseball cap e. Bunny slippers instead of your normal shoes 9. After losing $10, you find $20 in your backpack. Score! What do you do with it? a. Take it straight to the mall or your favorite store to spend. b. Put it into a savings account or keep it for something you really want c. Invest in a large amount of candy, which you sell to other students at a higher price than you bought it for d. Purchase a piggy bank so you can keep track of your money better! e. Buy a pillow pet! It will be a great addition to your large collection… Results Mostly a’s: Host a surprise party for them! Mostly b’s: Take them somewhere special (restaurant, movie, ice cream, corn maze, etc.) Mostly c’s: Get them something awesome at a craft store, then decorate it yourself to make it personal (cowboy hat, pencil case, t-shirt, etc.) Mostly d’s: Break into spontaneous song and dance during a class you have together! Mostly e’s: Make them a cake shaped like their favorite animal (even if they don’t recognize it)
22
November 1, 2012 PENULTIMATE
Cartoons
Charles Chang is a Junior at Ithaca High School. He enjoys eating, reading, doing his homework, and writing stories. Charles also likes soccer, ping-pong, and swimming. The cartoons he draws deal with his thoughts on school, facts, and ideas.
If you like what you see (or don’t), submit your own content! Submit cartoons, photography, questions, comments, stories, letters of complaint (or praise), or literary pieces. Hey, maybe you’ll see your name printed on this page. Drop off your stuff at Backpage Editor E-mail: backpage@ihstattler.com So what are you waiting for? I’m waiting for my soufflé of your thoughts. Chop chop.
23
November 1, 2012 PENULTIMATE
Advice:
Due to a massive influx of advice requests from readers, Danelle will be answering multiple questions today. Last month’s requests tied the all-time record for number of requests: 0. Please refrain from continuing to send advice requests to backpage@ihstattler. com. If, for some reason, you didn’t catch the email address, it is backpage@ihstattler. com. Dear Danelle, I’m really bored right now. What should I do? First of all, I don’t know who you are. I don’t know your interests, what you like, or why you are bored. Second of all, you don’t know who I am. I could be a crazy pop star who wears lobster hats. Or an imaginary-horseriding, K-pop pop star. Or a tricycle. Third of all, skydiving. From outer space. How do I stop procrastinating? Pay careful attention to when you are
write
procrastinating. Whether you have a big project, or just homework, take note of how you could spend your time more efficiently every hour. A key step in reducing procrastination is selfevaluation. Ultimately, you are the one in control of your life. Without the ability to control yourself, efficiency is hard to maintain. Alternatively, every time you procrastinate, punch someone in the face. There were some crazy circumstances, and now after two moon cows and a fondue mountain I’m in a crazy love triangle, square, or whatever the five-sided one is called. What should I do? This is extremely complicated. The prefixes are mono, di, tri, tetra, and then penta. Look, whenever my love life can be depicted by a polygon, I know that I’m in a tough position. There is a good way to handle this. Draw a circle. Put
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everyone on the circle. Now you will play a game of “spoon assassin.” The game is simple. Everyone has a spoon, and is given a target, the next one clockwise around the circle. If someone is holding it in plain sight, then they are safe. But, if they don’t have it, and you tag your target, they die. You pick up their target, and continue until you are the last person standing. Sorry what was the question? If you were an animal, what animal would you be? This doesn’t make sense. Humans are animals. How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? The Future Real Conditional describes what you think you will do in a specific situation in the future. It is different from other Real Conditional forms because, unlike the present or the past, you do not know what will happen in the future.
Although this form is called “real”, you are usually imagining or guessing about the future. It is called “real” because it is still possible that the action might occur in the future. (Englishpage. com) Also I hear Siri is pretty sassy. How do I get more swag? What will best increase my swag factor? and How do I become more swagalicious? swag /swag/ Noun: An ornamental festoon of flowers, fruit, and greenery: “ribbontied swags of flowers.” Verb: Arrange in or decorate with a swag or swags of fabric. Ummm... buy flower? In times of fiscal austerity, what should the private sector do to preclude the opulence of the exogenous ascendancies and extirpate constituents of monopsony? Go away. I hope you name your kids after me, Danelle Agular
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r.com ihstattleEditor form @ r o t i d e e th . Letter to urtyard up a in H Co Or pick ler office The Tatt outside
Horoscopes
Libra (September 23 to October 22): There has never been anything more important than your life than wearing a green shirt on November 12. You will be rewarded for your faith. Scorpio (October 23 to November 21): Your life has been given sudden, joyous new meaning by the flatscreens in H-Courtyard. Use the advantage to buy some iPads. Sagittarius (November 22 to December 21): A handsome stranger will be helping you with your studies this month. After this, you may find yourself questioning your sexuality. But don’t let it throw you off, the quarter moon will reveal your true self and remind you to go with the flow. Also, tiddlywinks. Capricorn (December 22 to January 19): Ask not what your country can do for you... because you will end up disappointed. Aquarius (January 20 to February 18): Listen to me very carefully, Kim. Your
mother and I are going to be taken and the people are going to come for you too. I want you to go to the balcony with a grenade, pull the pin out of it, count to three so I can hear it. Then toss it as far as you can. Leave the phone on, so I can hear the explosion. Also, blow up a car. Hooray for sequels... Pisces (February 19 to March 20): Today is an excellent day to go through with that plan. (The one with the hula-hoops and cranberry juice.) Aries (March 21 to April 19): Worshipping false idols has been given a bad name. Try worshipping the main office by knocking on the door every time you pass. Taurus (April 20 to May 20): Red is your lucky color this month. Blue is your unlucky color. Punish all those wearing blue for endangering you. Gemini (May 21 to June 20): Without darkness, how can there be light? Without evil, how can there be good? Thoughts like these are why
people beat you up. Cancer (June 21 to July 22): The Moon is in the house of Jupiter...Jupiter is tired and wants to go to sleep but doesn’t want to be rude and tell Moon to leave because Moon helped him move a couple years ago and Jupiter never returned the favor. But really is Jupiter expected to just let Moon walk all over him forever? I mean he totally didn’t say anything when Moon took Pluto’s lunch from the fridge in the break room. I don’t care if he’s not a planet, he’s still a person. Leo (July 23 to August 22): Your crush is actually an android sent to destroy all human life on Earth AND thinks the two of you should stay “just friends.” Virgo (August 23 to September 22): Flash mob. Or a flash-mob flash mob. Or a flash mob in a flash-mob flash mob. Try to flash a mob with a flash-mob flash mob in a flash mob. This has not been funny since two weeks after Inception came out.
Sudoku October Solution:
A perfect sock-floor sliding combination Ithaca weather Horoscopes Opinions Foreign Exchange Students Racing someone to reply first in Facebook chat Filling in “other” for race (human) Pixelated cartoons Waiting two months for PSAT scores When it’s too cold to war shorts but there’s no snow Finding out about a fourday weekend on Thursday Writing in cursive Walking slowly in a crowded hallway